Meesho to integrate with government’s Open Network for Digital Commerce

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Nov 24, 2022

Meesho announced that it has integrated with the Union Government’s Open Network for Digital Commerce. The social commerce platform aims to create a wide market for hyper-local suppliers across India. 

“With a shared goal to empower small sellers and give a fillip to hyperlocal businesses, the integration will boost our efforts to democratise internet commerce for everyone,” said Meesho’s founder and CEO Vidit Aatrey, Indian Retailer Bureau reported. “ONDC will also play an important role in expanding India’s e-commerce sector by bringing more consumers online. We have been working closely with ONDC to ensure that the integration is smooth and the user experience remains seamless.”
 
The majority of Meesho’s customers reside in Tier 2 and 3 cities and the business has a registered seller base of over 8 lakh businesses and entrepreneurs. Approximately 40% of Meesho’s total seller base is from Tier 2 cities and beyond meaning it has a large network of hyper-local traders across product categories spanning fashion, fast moving consumer goods, and lifestyle items among others. 

“At ONDC, our aim is to create an open e-commerce ecosystem that caters to one and all,” said ONDC CEO T Koshy. “We are pleased to onboard Meesho as its deep capabilities in small towns will set the network flywheel in motion and take ONDC closer to our goals. E-commerce is still small in India and new-age platforms like Meesho will be strong network participants for ONDC in this journey.”
 
ONDC is designed to create a level playing field in the e-commerce market. The initiative will pilot in Bengaluru before gradually rolling out across India.